English 102 Online
Finding Information in the Library for Research Projects
Click to go to a specific part of this tutorial:
• Finding a Topic
• Finding Magazine/Journal Articles
• Finding Newspaper Articles
Finding a Topic:
The Library has many online sources to use for finding good topics for writing research papers. Selecting a topic is one of the most important things you will do. You need to select a topic of interest to you and also one with enough reputable information for writing a research paper.
You can search for topics in the CQ Researcher, Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center , or specialized encyclopedias
• Start on the Library web page (www.cgc.maricopa.edu/library).
• Click on the "Magazines & Journals" link
• Under "General" click on CQ Researcher-Librarian Recommended!
• At the CQ Researcher page, either enter a topic in the "Quick Search" box or click on "Issue Tracker" on the left side of the page, for a list of the popular topics
• The result of a "Quick Search" is a list of CQ Researcher reports (25-35 pages) on current topics--click on the article title to see the whole article
• The results of the "Issue Tracker" is a list of topics--click on one to get a list of reports on that topic--click on the article title to see the whole article
• Significant parts of the report are Overview (covers the major issues), chronology (timeline of important events), pro/con (both sides of a controversial issue of the topic), bibliography (list of books and articles), and contacts (websites of relevant organizations)
• You have the options of printing or emailing--make sure you get a copy!
Finding Magazine/Journal Articles:
The Library has many online sources to use for finding reputable articles for writing an argumentative essay. The example here is for Academic OneFile, a recommended general database. You will also want to use others, including subject databases. Excellent subject databases to which the CGCC Library subscribes include Business Source Premier, Education Index, History Study Center, and Literature Resource Center.
• Start on the Library web page (www.cgc.maricopa.edu/library)
• Click on the "Magazines & Journals" link
• Under "General" click on "Academic OneFile"
• Type in your broad topic (only type in one or two words, most important word first) in the "Subject Guide Search" box
• Under "Limit Results" below, check the "to documents with full text" box and click "Search"
• The results screen has the "Subject Terms" and under it "Subdivisions." Click on subdivisions
• This next screen divides your broad topic into narrower subjects with a list of the number of articles; click on the narrowed subject of interest to you
• Here you find a list of magazine articles--notice above the list of articles there are tabs for both "Magazines" and "Academic Journals," choose the tab which lists those sources required for your assignment (to learn the difference between magazines and journals, click
here)
• Click on an article from the list-read the abstract (if given) or the first two paragraphs to decide if this is an article which you will use in your paper
• You have the options of printing, emailing, or downloading (to a thumb drive). Make sure you get a copy!
• If you do not like the listed articles or the narrowed subjects, search by clicking on the "Basic Search" found near the top left of the screen and click here for multiple keyword searching steps
Finding Newspaper Articles:
The Library has many online sources to use for finding reputable articles for writing an argumentative essay.
• Start on the Library web page (www.cgc.maricopa.edu/library).
• Click on the "Newspapers" link
• Click on "National Newspapers"
• Type in your broad topic (only type in one or two words) in the "Basic Search" box and click on "Search"
• Look through the articles listed--do any of them meet your needs? If so click on the title or full text link to see the whole article
• You have the options of printing or emailing--make sure you get a copy!
• If the articles are too general, use the "Suggested Topics" box above the articles to view a list of narrower topics to find other articles.
• If you do not like the listed articles or the narrowed subjects, you may do a multiple key word search
Finding Books in the CGCC Library Online Catalog:
• Start on the Library web page (www.cgc.maricopa.edu/library).
• Click on the "Books & More" link
• Type in your broad topic (only type in one or two words, most important word first) in the "Search" box
• The next screen is list of electronic and paper books and DVDs owned by the CGCC Library
• Select a title and click on it
• If you select an e-book, you can read it online. If you select a source in another format, come to the CGCC Library and someone will help you locate it if you need assistance.
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Multiple Keyword Searching:
When you do not like the results of your searching, try doing a "Boolean" Search, a multiple keyword search
• In the search box of the source you are using, type in your broad topic (keep it to one or two words) such as "immigration"
• Type the word "and" after the broad topic
• Then add another term that describes a portion of the broad topic, such as "immigration and medical care"
• Click on the search box and select relevant articles from the results